Voting Rights hearings by House Election Law Committee

For those interested in changes that are being considered by the House Election Law committee will meet on Tuesday 2/7/2017 at 10:00am for hearings on a number of bills related to voting rights. If anyone wants to attend (either to testify or to sign in as either supporting or opposing any bill), the hearings will be held at the Legislative Office Building (33 N State St, Concord, behind the State House) in Room 308.

10:15 a.m. HB 465, relative to domicile for the purposes of voting or holding elective office – Deems one to have abandoned his or her domicile, for the purposes of voting or running for or holding elective office if one claims residency in another state, files taxes as a resident of another state, claims a homestead exemption in another state, or sells and moves out of the residence where he or she was domiciled.

10:30 a.m. HB 651-FN, relative to wrongful voting and penalties for voter fraud – Add to wrongful voting prohibitions the providing of false proof of age, citizenship, or domicile; or falsely stating that another person is domiciled at one’s address.

10:45 a.m. HB 552-FN, relative to investigation of undeliverable voter verification letters – Requires the Secretary of State to investigate undeliverable voter verification letter and, if the investigation results in a finding of fraudulent registration or fraudulent voting, to forward to the Attorney General for prosecution.

11:00 a.m. HB 588-FN, relative to voter identification requirements – Requires a voter who does not present a valid photo identification to vote by provisional ballot.

11:40 a.m. HB 622-FN-L, allowing all voters to vote by absentee ballot –This bill would allow any voter to vote by absentee ballot, without a requirement that the voter be absent from the municipality or unable to vote in person for another reason.